I've been looking at some used cruising spinnakers (cruising chutes) for my Hunter 285 (36' mast) and been wondering what sizes to look for in the luff, foot and leech. Is there a range or do I have to have an exact size for the boat. My guess is that there is a "no smaller than to no bigger than" size.
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Call Cruising Direct
I have a H285 as well (GREAAAAAAAAAAT boat, isn't it?) I shopped around a bit and ended up buying from Cruising Direct. I called them, they sent me the brochures and info needed. Turns out they have some "stock" sails that fit a variety of boats in the 27-29 foot range. Less expensive than a truly customized version, but it works just fine. They were VERY easy to do business with and helped me, post-sale, with some other questions I had. I liked them so much, I even bought my 150% genoa from them.
I have a H285 as well (GREAAAAAAAAAAT boat, isn't it?) I shopped around a bit and ended up buying from Cruising Direct. I called them, they sent me the brochures and info needed. Turns out they have some "stock" sails that fit a variety of boats in the 27-29 foot range. Less expensive than a truly customized version, but it works just fine. They were VERY easy to do business with and helped me, post-sale, with some other questions I had. I liked them so much, I even bought my 150% genoa from them.
For Rick
I, too have a 1986 H28.5 and have been considering a cruising chute. If possible, could you post the dimensions of the chute you bought, the type and weight of material, and approximate cost? I'd also be curious to know your sailing experience with this chute. What, for example, is the maxiumum wind you can sail in with the chute up? Also, how far forward of the beam can this sail be used? Finally, what can you say about tacking this sail? Thanks.
I, too have a 1986 H28.5 and have been considering a cruising chute. If possible, could you post the dimensions of the chute you bought, the type and weight of material, and approximate cost? I'd also be curious to know your sailing experience with this chute. What, for example, is the maxiumum wind you can sail in with the chute up? Also, how far forward of the beam can this sail be used? Finally, what can you say about tacking this sail? Thanks.
Cruising Chute Experiences
Hello Warren et All: I operate a Hunter 28.5 as a sail training vessel here in Nova Scotia. It's a typical DRS operated without a pole and all it's asscociated hardware. It's easy for students to learn with as it's launched and doused using a sock. This is a tube in essence with it's own coutinuous halyard, and makes this critical part of using a chute a snap, even for a crew of 2-3. The tack of the sail it looped around the furled up headsail, and gybeing it is as easy as just "blooping it out abound the headstay by alternately easing the sheet and guy respectively. You can also come up to a close reach with the sail by tightening the down haul attached also to the tack and sheeting in. I'll try to attch a photo of it in use, and if interested you can see more shots on my site at www.souwesteradventures.com Regards Eric
Hello Warren et All: I operate a Hunter 28.5 as a sail training vessel here in Nova Scotia. It's a typical DRS operated without a pole and all it's asscociated hardware. It's easy for students to learn with as it's launched and doused using a sock. This is a tube in essence with it's own coutinuous halyard, and makes this critical part of using a chute a snap, even for a crew of 2-3. The tack of the sail it looped around the furled up headsail, and gybeing it is as easy as just "blooping it out abound the headstay by alternately easing the sheet and guy respectively. You can also come up to a close reach with the sail by tightening the down haul attached also to the tack and sheeting in. I'll try to attch a photo of it in use, and if interested you can see more shots on my site at www.souwesteradventures.com Regards Eric
Just a thought
When buiying a Spinnkar made for a size range like for a boat from 27 to 29 foot range, get the sail area. Yes it will fit, BUT a sail for say a Catlina 27 and a sail for a Hunter 28.5 are not the same. Crusing Spinnaker sail area for a Hunter 28.5 from UK is 663 sq ft. Same sail but for a Catlina 27 is 564 almost a 100 sq ft of sail area less. Throw in a boat very close like an Oday 28 and ther is a 11 sq ft difference. Just a thought. Cliff 28.5 "Red Dog"
When buiying a Spinnkar made for a size range like for a boat from 27 to 29 foot range, get the sail area. Yes it will fit, BUT a sail for say a Catlina 27 and a sail for a Hunter 28.5 are not the same. Crusing Spinnaker sail area for a Hunter 28.5 from UK is 663 sq ft. Same sail but for a Catlina 27 is 564 almost a 100 sq ft of sail area less. Throw in a boat very close like an Oday 28 and ther is a 11 sq ft difference. Just a thought. Cliff 28.5 "Red Dog"
Spinnaker Winches
Just my opinion, but if you want flexibility with a 28.5, keep your primary winches for genoas. Mine are in the aft position so I don't need turning blocks and can handle single handed tacking from behind the steering pedestal. I did upgrade the single cabin top halyard winch to a pair of self tailing Harkens, so if I ever want to run a spinnaker I could move my snatch blocks back on the rail and sheet directly to a cabintop winch - same set up as some J-24's. I have used a double headsail set up (wing and wing) using primaries for the 155 Genoa and a 135 on the cabintop winches just to try it. At the moment, I have a jib halyard and a reef on the port side cabintop winch side and the main halyard , second jib halyard and a second reef on the starboard side cabintop winch. I find this set up usefull for my single handing the boat as well.
Just my opinion, but if you want flexibility with a 28.5, keep your primary winches for genoas. Mine are in the aft position so I don't need turning blocks and can handle single handed tacking from behind the steering pedestal. I did upgrade the single cabin top halyard winch to a pair of self tailing Harkens, so if I ever want to run a spinnaker I could move my snatch blocks back on the rail and sheet directly to a cabintop winch - same set up as some J-24's. I have used a double headsail set up (wing and wing) using primaries for the 155 Genoa and a 135 on the cabintop winches just to try it. At the moment, I have a jib halyard and a reef on the port side cabintop winch side and the main halyard , second jib halyard and a second reef on the starboard side cabintop winch. I find this set up usefull for my single handing the boat as well.
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